Initial findings on the drowning incident at Achiase in the Atwima Mponua District point to overloading as the canoe accident.

Four people who were part of a group of ten crossing the River Offin drowned after it capsized in the middle of the journey. 

According to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, the canoe involved in the accident had a capacity of five but was overloaded by five more people.

"The canoe they are talking about has the capacity of five people, unfortunately, I am told it had ten people on board. It has twice the capacity on board and if you have such a small canoe as the weight increases there is a possibility that it can take some water and the people can get drowned”, he explained.

He says though efforts are being made to procure safer plastic canoes, it is important for people to respect the capacity of canoes.

"If the capacity is five they should try as much as possible to take five people. I am also happy that the DCE says they are acquiring two new plastic canoes for them to help them cross the river”, he added.

The mortal remains of three of the four who went missing on the river have since been retrieved by rescue teams.

Made up of predominantly farmers, the community members have their farms and property beyond the Offin River, they cross the river with boats for their daily survival.